Headed to Australia as a 1k

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Jul 12, 2017, 4:13 pm

bwg03

Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2012

Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat

Posts: 111

Headed to Australia as a 1k

Taking my wife on a 2 week cruise in October/November to Sydney and then return from Auckland. I just hit 1k this year so have my full allotment of GPU and CPUs.

I am trying to successfully use my GPUs each way to Sydney and return from Auckland. Any tips? Looks to be more availability on Sundays rather than during the week. No R availability as of yet.

I know to book a W fare but anything else that would help??

Jul 12, 2017, 4:25 pm

sbm12

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: PSM

Posts: 69,232

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwg03

I know to book a W fare but anything else that would help??

Good luck. Typically considered a VERY difficult upgrade to get.

Jul 12, 2017, 4:48 pm

Rumples

Join Date: Dec 2016

Programs: Mileage Plus 1K \\ ConciergeKey

Posts: 531

I'm in the same boat as you. Have 4 people going SFO - SYD and then SYD - LAX.

Used 2 GPUs to clear the inbounds, waitlisted for 2 seats on the outbound, used miles for the other 2 tickets.

AKL - LAX and back I believe is suspended as a seasonality thing, so only ANZ flies it right now as a partner of UA.

I just keep checking the R space for the outbound, but as other posters have said, it's a VERY hard upgrade.

I've already pulled my strings with some family friends too to try to get them upgraded.

Jul 12, 2017, 4:48 pm

mrt88

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: UA 1k

Posts: 312

I was recently in Sydney for a short trip (out Wed night, back Mon morning), down on W back on V, booked about 1.5-2 months before going and availability was wide open during the week. Was instantly confirmed on the way down and on the way up confirmed a few days after. There were even seats empty in business on my flight back up to SFO.

Jul 12, 2017, 4:52 pm

laxmillenial

Join Date: Jan 2016

Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat

Posts: 1,700

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwg03

I am trying to successfully use my GPUs each way to Sydney and return from Auckland. Any tips? Looks to be more availability on Sundays rather than during the week. No R availability as of yet.

I know to book a W fare but anything else that would help??

Like @mrt88, I believe Tuesday/Wednesdays are your best shot. I've booked a trip to Sydney (from LAX) and returning from Auckland (to SFO to LAX) and successfully applied my GPU's at booking. Don't go by seat maps for availability, go by the fare classes being sold.

Jul 12, 2017, 4:59 pm

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,419

Quote:

Originally Posted by laxmillenial

+1 for Mon/Tue/Wed as the best days for upgrades. Unlike others in this thread I wouldn't characterize ANZ as a very hard upgrade. Had no trouble finding many dates with R space last Feb/March, although loads look higher right now.

But some other important tips:
- Most W fares don't have any advance purchase at all, and those that do are usually close-in. If your cruise plans can afford it, don't choose a flight until you see R space, and don't be afraid to wait.
- If you feel up to complicated itineraries (will require split ticket connections), MEL/LAX is an easier upgrade than SYD. e.g. with only a little searching 10/10 LAX-MEL is R1.